Fluted Vs. Smaller barrel.

[jmad_81]

Looking at Starting my mountain rifle project real soon and was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on barrel fluting. I'm going with a lilja stainless 24" barrel. The smallest conture that they flute is a #5. The weight of the fluted #5 is roughly the same as a non-fluted #3. . . about 3.3 lbs.

Anything wrong with fluting or a skinny barrel?

 

[YoteSmoker]

A skinny barrel will heat up quick. A heavier barrel with fluting will cool quicker and be a little more rigid. For a mountain gun, I'd probably opt for a #3 contour and wait longer between shots since minimizing weight is the main issue in the field.

 

[Powerstroke]

+1 with what Yote said.... However... if the weight is the same, personally I'd opt for the fluted.....the coolness factor has to play in there somewhere doesn't it? :grin:

 

[jmad_81]

Powerstroke- That is pretty much what I was thinking 8) , they are going to weigh the same with in .03lbs or so, accordin to Liljas weight calculaing spread sheet.

 

[Guest]

If weight is the same, I'd go with the fluted, for three reasons:

1. Rigidity
2. Heat dissipation
3. Coolness factor!

The first two help with accuracy, the third is just gravy, man. If the thinner contour was lighter, I'd do it, but a fluted barrel at the same weight is the real trick!

 

[HunterJim]

I had my NULA M24 built with a No. 2 contour stainless barrel; the finished rifle is 5.5#. If you are looking to trudge mountains, I would go with the thin barrel. My Douglas barrel does not show any weirdness when shooting, and the rifle definitely packs light.

jim

 

[bullet]

If you are going to build a mountain rifle that is light then go with a #2 or #3 but only go with a 22" barrel becasue the shorter barrel will give it more rigidity in helping to control barrel harmonics. You are not shooting comp so don't worry about barrel getting hot. I had a Sako reciever and a short 22" #2 Douglas barrel in 7mm08 and it was very, very accurate and very light and was a very nice rig.